Written by Khalid "Bless" Bey | As Seen in the NY Times Bestseller: Rat Bastards

“I’m Puerto Rican, Italian, German and Irish,” says the eye-catching beauty before us. She is quite the mix. “Ha ha,” she laughs, “I know [it’s] a lot! People are always surprised when they hear my answer. I actually get asked quite often because I am told I look mixed.” She does. “The Puerto Rican and Italian come from my mom and the German and Irish comes from my dad,” she concludes. “My name is Lucy Marie but you will rarely hear anyone call me by my name,” she says excitedly. “It’s either Lu Lu or Lou.”

Lucy or Lu Lu is from the borough of the Bronx in New York City. She still lives in New York, where she model and bartends. “I love the nightlife,” she says. “It is a definitely a fun scene, especially living in New York. Also,” she adds, “I will be attending school to be a Pharmacy Technician.” As a model, Lu Lu has come to what we’ll consider a reasonable understanding of the industry. “You definitely need a thick skin to succeed in the modeling industry,” she offers pointedly. “There will always be some hater out there ready to take you down. I try not to pay too much attention to that because there are so many people who like what I put out there and are willing to support me. If you don’t have haters, you’re not doing it right.” Considering her words, I listen further; her point made loud and clear. “Also, your look might not be for everyone and that’s fine. You have to learn how to take rejection in a positive way. Being consistent is definitely a must as well. You have to put your all into it just like in anything else you want to succeed in. I’ve had some problems in the past about being consistent and keeping up, but hey, life happens sometimes. But I’m back and ready to take on the world.”

“The one thing that has definitely changed is my confidence,” Lu Lu says, referring to the decision she made to become a model. “I’m the most confident I’ve ever been, especially being more on the curvier side. To see that so many people are actually supporting me and love what I out there is so dope.” She is clearly having a moment, caught in reflective thought and in the emotions conveyed through her words. “I love that you get to express yourself and be who you are. I’m tattooed, pierced and have curves. I love that in today’s modeling world you don’t have to have a certain look to be successful. You get to meet amazing people and get to experience a different world. I feel like I’m in my element when modeling, doing what I love,” she says. “It is definitely an amazing feeling.”

Lu Lu’s first tattoo is a cute butterfly on her lower back that she got when she was just fifteen. “I’ve always loved butterflies and have more than one tattooed on my body,” she denotes casually. “I was always into tattoos, even at that young age. I loved the way they looked, the art and just everything about them. Once I found a place that would tattoo me at that age I just had to get one. I’ve been getting tattooed ever since.” She went on to become an influence on those closest to her. “Many of my family members have tattoos.”

Influencing her close friends and family to get tattoos is not all she is responsible for. “I love hearing, especially from women, that I inspire them to be themselves and comfortable in their own skin,” Lu Lu admits, “definitely a blessing.” This philosophy is deeply rooted; it even defines her sense of beauty. She believes beauty to be the act of being yourself and who you truly are. “There is nothing more beautiful and honest than that,” she affirms. “Don’t ever try to live up to someone’s expectation of what beauty is. I believe that everyone is beautiful in their own way and has something special to offer.”

Lu Lu began modeling by chance; it was never in the cards. “One of my really good friends is a photographer and had approached me about doing a shoot and I thought to myself, no way, I could never do that,” recalls the curvy beauty. “I’ve always thought about giving modeling a shot since I’ve been told I’m very photogenic, but I never took the time to pursue it. I finally decided to take up the offer and had my first photo shoot and I loved it. I loved being in front of the camera; it was very natural for me. Shortly after I landed my first feature in a magazine.”

Tattoos and body-modifications make a large part of her total package, but there is more. “I would say my style is very different,” she ventures. “I love to change it up all the time. I like to keep it simple sometimes but also have a sexy and edgy style. People say I have this ‘look’ that’s just different and I love that. I’m definitely not one to look like everyone else.”

“I have a really big heart,” Lu Lu confesses. “I will still care about you and go to the moon and back for you even if you have hurt me in the past. Don’t get it twisted though, I’m a tough cookie and take no BS! I just have a very soft spot for the people I care about.” With such a big heart, it stands to reason that she would have a desire to live a life filled with love and affection. She would indeed know what her personal heaven on earth is and why. “Heaven on earth to me,” delivers our angel, “would have to be just being with the people I love, knowing they love me back just as much. Whether it’s family, friends or a significant other; I honestly think it can’t get any better than that.” That’s sounds right. Keep it simple.